What role does consulting play in creating a healthier, more sustainable world? How can each of us balance our passion to help make the world a better place with taking care of ourselves and our families? Environmental consultant Jenny Oorbeck (MS ’03) shared her experiences and thoughts on these questions in a recent Alumni Expert Master Chat at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS).

Oorbeck, who grew up in Kalamazoo and studied sociology at Mills College in California, has been involved with sustainability work and community service for decades. In her talk, she spoke briefly about her professional experiences from California to Michigan, and went on to recount her experiences in environmental consulting and their impact on her perceptions of the industry.

Oorbeck’s journey into environmental consulting began with a service year in AmeriCorps, where she led tours at a recycling center educating young children about sustainability. “I knew I wanted to help people, and I always loved nature and taking care of the environment, and this is what put it together for me; it let me do both,” said Oorbeck. The experience uniting her dual desires to aid both people and nature inspired her to seek further education and experiences to bolster her credentials.

Following an impactful tenure in California, Oorbeck returned to her home state of Michigan, where her graduate studies at SEAS equipped her with the knowledge and skills to excel in the field of environmental consulting. Since graduating, her career has spanned positions with RecycleSmart, the City of Richmond and Clean Energy Coalition in Ann Arbor. After deep involvement with NSF International and the establishment of a certification arm at SCS Consulting in California, she decided to “take a leap” and launch her own consulting firm.

Founded in 2022, Fresh Coast Climate Solutions strives to create a better world through bold and impactful solutions. For Oorbeck, it is also a way to balance different elements of her life that were equally important but sometimes required time she did not have. As a co-founder and partner of her own firm, Oorbeck has found a way to continue to contribute to advancing sustainable change, while still spending time with her family on their farm. 

In the second half of her talk, Oorbeck shared some of her personal insights from working in the consulting industry and within the sustainability world at large. A lifelong educator and consistently active member of her community, Oorbeck’s comfort and confidence in sharing her experiences was clear. The first theme engaged with were the qualities of a good consultant. “If you’re a really curious person, if you get bored really quick or if you’re comfortable with ambiguity, then you might enjoy working in this industry. You have to be comfortable with saying, ‘I’m not an expert at that but I’m an expert at figuring things out.’”

Audience members went on to quiz Oorbeck on a range of topics, such as the driving forces behind companies seeking green solutions. She cited customer demands, regulation policies—in the U.S. and beyond, drawing on experience working with clients engaging with the EU—and the intrinsic desire to be industry leaders as key motivators.

Oorbeck discussed the roles of the public and private sectors in environmental work, noting the swifter pace of change in private enterprises but acknowledging the profound impacts nonprofits can carry through strong community relations. The environmental ecosystem, she explained, needs the collaborative efforts of government, nonprofits and private sectors to achieve significant climate change mitigation.

“We need government driving policy and regulation, we need nonprofits to deliver those through their connections with local communities, and we need consultants to bring creative ideas to the table and additional capacity,” she added.

For those eager to join the world of consulting, Oorbeck offers two final pieces of advice: brush up on technical skills, such as greenhouse gas accounting or lifecycle analysis, and network as much as you can. “There is a lot of demand growing for people, and people are starting to see that this is the place where we need to be focused, where money is needed,” she noted. If the past five years of her career trajectory are any indication, she said, the consultants will be on the business side of demand and the future will be busy.

Oorbeck concluded with an optimistic message: the consulting sector is burgeoning, and the rewards can be great. With the market for sustainability consulting growing by the day, there is an increased need for professionals who can navigate the complexities of environmental policy and assist businesses in sustainable transformations. Her enthusiasm to share experiences and pass on lessons shined brightly throughout her talk and conveyed a symbol of confidence in the industry.

“Do good and earn a good living, is what I think we should all be aiming for,” she added. With thoughtful decision-making and a little boldness here and there, it seems like a good way for all of us to take care of ourselves while striving to make a difference.